Shoplifter jailed

A prolific shoplifter and serial absconder has been jailed for 26 weeks and banned from supermarkets across the town.

Michael Cakebread, aged 35, was sentenced at Stevenage Magistrates’ Court last month, in connection with 10 shoplifting offences, two vehicle interferences and one count of fraud, all of which were committed between Tuesday 21st May and Sunday 16th June.

He was jailed for 26 weeks and ordered to pay just over £2,450 in compensation. He was also issued with a Criminal Behaviour Order which sets out several conditions he must abide by on release from prison.

Sergeant Nathan Howson, from the East Herts Community Safety Unit, said: "Cakebread is a prolific shoplifter who has been offered numerous chances to turn his life around. His behaviour causes misery for local retailers and members of the public and we hope that this sentence and the CBO will provide some respite for them. If you witness the CBO being breached, please call 999 straight away."